Maryland Department of Transportation Announces $500,000 in Purple Line Small Business Grants

HANOVER, MD (December 17, 2025)
- The Maryland Department of Transportation today announced the award of $500,000 in grants to support operations at 40 small businesses impacted by the construction of the Purple Line. The Purple Line Small Business Grant Program was created this year and has already invested $2 million in nearly 200 small businesses in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. A complete list of Round 3 grant awards can be found here .

"The Maryland Department of Transportation is doing everything we can to expeditiously finish building the Purple Line and support small businesses impacted by its construction," said Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle. "These grants provide some relief as we continue to advance and accomplish major milestones on this transformational project."

Construction of the Purple Line project continues to advance and is approximately 85 percent complete. All light rail vehicles have arrived in Maryland and all light rail tracks are installed in Prince George's County. Construction continues along the 16-mile alignment, with much of the remaining construction in Montgomery County and system testing advancing along the alignment.

More than $300,000 of the small business grants awarded in this round of funding is directed toward businesses along Bonifant Street in Silver Spring. Eligible businesses along the 900 block of Bonifant Street have each received $25,000 in grant funding this year to sustain operations during construction. Bonifant Street has been heavily impacted by construction for an extended period and is home to a diverse set of restaurants, including authentic Burmese cuisine from Mandalay Restaurant & Café, Thai food at Kook Kai's Thai Noodles, Italian cuisine from Café via Roma, Ethiopian cuisine at Lamrot Restaurant & Bar, West African cuisine from Roger Miller Restaurant, food from Sierra Leone and the Caribbean at Sweet Sweet Kitchen, and coffee and lite fare at Kefa Café.

Just a few stops away on the Purple Line, the Takoma Langley station will offer easy access to Takoma Langley Crossroads, home to nearly 200 food, retail, and service businesses along University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. Small businesses awarded grants from the Purple Line Small Business Grant Program include: Tijuana Mexican Cafe, Pupuseria El Comalito, Caribbean Palace, Campeon Pollo a la Brasa and Halal Meat & Grocery; as well as various retail locations: Sarah Fabrics, Priti's Fashion & Jewelry, Discount Mart/Capital Kidz, and Dima Furniture.

The Maryland Department of Transportation reminds everyone that businesses remain open during construction and encourages residents to support these local small businesses. During the upcoming Super Saturday on December 20, Montgomery County is offering free parking in all County-operated garages and lots to provide convenient access to small businesses in downtown Silver Spring and Bethesda.

The Purple Line Small Business Grant Program launched in February 2025 and includes three grant rounds each year. Grant awards to eligible businesses are prioritized based on the location of the business and its proximity to areas most significantly impacted by construction in the prior and upcoming six months. Grant amounts vary by business size and location and funds may be used for any business-related expenses. Eligible small businesses must primarily conduct business with customers onsite at a location within one-quarter of a mile of the Purple Line and have been open and operational since July 1, 2023.

This is a highly competitive grant program and not all businesses that are eligible will receive funding. Businesses that did not receive an award from this round of funding and businesses that did not apply are encouraged to submit an application in the next funding cycle, which opens March 2, 2026. Program details, full eligibility requirements and a link to the grant application can be found at https://purplelinemd.com/small-business-grants/.

The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. The Purple Line is a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line connecting communities from New Carrollton in Prince George's County to Bethesda in Montgomery County. The Purple Line will directly connect to the Metrorail's Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. To learn more, visit purpleline.com and follow the project's progress on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Threads and Bluesky​.